Man Killed Sunday at Tenoroc Mine Shooting Range in Lakeland

Victim apparently was wounded by his own shotgun.

Published: Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 7:37 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, May 26, 2013 at 7:37 p.m.

LAKELAND | A Clermont man was killed Sunday morning when he was apparently wounded by his own shotgun at a Lakeland shooting range, deputies said.

Larry Simpson, 71, was wounded in the chest at Tenoroc Mine Shooting Range, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies still are investigating how exactly the shooting happened.

Deputies are relying on a friend who was with Simpson, Jamie Gonzalez of Orlando, for information about what occurred in the moments before his death, said Scott Wilder, a Sheriff's Office spokes­man.

Gonzalez told deputies the shooting occurred about 9:40 a.m. as he stood at a station, firing at clays. Simpson was behind him, operating a machine that launches the clays. Gonzalez heard a bang and turned around to find Simpson wounded.

He called for help and tried to resuscitate Simpson. Paramedics arrived at the range at 3755 Tenoroc Mine Road and determined he had died. An autopsy will be conducted today.

[ Matthew Pleasant can be reached at matthew.pleasant@theledger.com or 863-802-7590. ]

<p>LAKELAND | A Clermont man was killed Sunday morning when he was apparently wounded by his own shotgun at a Lakeland shooting range, deputies said.</p><p>Larry Simpson, 71, was wounded in the chest at Tenoroc Mine Shooting Range, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.</p><p>Deputies still are investigating how exactly the shooting happened.</p><p>Deputies are relying on a friend who was with Simpson, Jamie Gonzalez of Orlando, for information about what occurred in the moments before his death, said Scott Wilder, a Sheriff's Office spokes­man.</p><p>Gonzalez told deputies the shooting occurred about 9:40 a.m. as he stood at a station, firing at clays. Simpson was behind him, operating a machine that launches the clays. Gonzalez heard a bang and turned around to find Simpson wounded. </p><p>He called for help and tried to resuscitate Simpson. Paramedics arrived at the range at 3755 Tenoroc Mine Road and determined he had died. An autopsy will be conducted today.</p><p>[ Matthew Pleasant can be reached at matthew.pleasant@theledger.com or 863-802-7590. ]</p>